Periodontal disease, which involves infections and inflammation of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth, can be a serious threat to health, particularly when it is misdiagnosed and/or not treated promptly. If you are a New York resident suffering the ill effects of periodontal disease caused by your dentist’s negligence, contact Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. Lance is a highly esteemed dental malpractice attorney with offices in Manhattan who has the litigation talent and skills to help you recover the damages you deserve.
Why Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. Is the Right Choice
Lance has a long history of successful outcomes, both in and out of the courtroom, and is determined to fight aggressively for your right to maximum compensation. In addition to his record of substantial settlements and verdicts, Lance offers you several other advantages:
- You will work with him personally — he will never delegate your case
- He is extremely well-respected among both clients and colleagues
- He will thoroughly investigate your case and examine your dental and medical reports
- He will prepare trial strategies so powerful they may lead to negotiated settlements
- He has a network of dental and medical experts to consult with and may testify on your behalf
Contact him now for a free consultation. He will charge you no attorney fees until he wins your case.
The Harm Periodontal Disease Can Cause
Many people are unaware of the devastating effects periodontal disease can have on general health and well-being. Known as gingivitis in its early stages, untreated periodontal disease can cause:
- Dark-colored, bleeding gums
- Difficulty or pain when biting or chewing
- Pus pockets between the teeth
- Shrinkage of gums so that teeth look larger
- Loss of teeth and bone
- Heart problems
- Sepsis (systemic infection of the blood)
- Death
Too many dentists fail to diagnose and treat the early stage of periodontal disease, known as gingivitis, allowing their patients’ conditions to worsen dramatically.
Has Your Dentist Been Negligent in Checking for Periodontal Disease?
General dentists have several regular responsibilities when it comes to treating their patients. These include:
- Performing regular cleanings
- Filling cavities as needed
- Checking gums, mouth, lips, tongue, cheeks, and local lymph nodes for sores or other signs of disease.
- Regular gum probing, including new patients
- Periodic x-rays
In its early stage, periodontal disease is known as gingivitis, and one of the general dentist’s duties is to look for its first sign: red and/or swollen gums that may be painful and bleed easily.
More than a cursory examination is necessary. Starting when patients reach the later teen
years or young adulthood, dentists should begin doing periodontal probing at least annually. By inserting a small probe along the base of each tooth, the dentist is able to assess whether gum disease is occurring. If the probe is able to be inserted more than the usual amount, there is cause for concern.
The further the probe is able to be inserted, the worse the condition is. The dentist may notice other signs of deterioration and should ask the patient whether they are having other symptoms, such as loose teeth, painful chewing, foul breath, or an ongoing bad taste.
At this point, the dentist should determine whether periodontal disease is in process and, if so, recommend one or more of the following:
- Periodontal scaling
- Root planing
- Use of special mouthwash
- Prescribed antibiotics
- Referral to a competent periodontist
If any of these steps weren’t taken, you may be a victim of dental negligence. If you feel that your dentist has allowed your periodontal disease to develop or worsen in spite of your regular visits, it is time to get in touch with Lance Ehrenberg.
Dental Liability When It Comes to Periodontal Disease
Proving dental malpractice is challenging, which is why you need a strong, experienced dental malpractice attorney like Lance Ehrenberg at your side. He will work hard to cover all the bases in order to prove dental malpractice:
- A dentist-patient relationship existed and therefore a duty of care existed.
- Your dentist breached that duty by not adhering to acceptable standards of care.
- Your dentist’s breach directly caused you personal injury.
- Financial damages resulted from this injury (e.g. medical costs, loss of income).
Once these components of dental malpractice are proved to the court’s satisfaction, you are entitled to compensation.
Damages Lance Ehrenberg Will Fight For
No one should have to pay physically, emotionally, and financially for a dental professional’s negligence, so Lance will fight vigorously to recover damages for whichever of the following apply in your case:
- Dental and medical costs
- Lost income, present, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of teeth
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Final medical and funeral costs, loss of financial/emotional support (in cases of wrongful death)
Contact Our Accomplished Periodontal Disease Malpractice Attorney Now
Lance Ehrenberg is well-prepared to handle your claim of dental malpractice. The sooner you get in touch with him, the sooner he can begin investigating the details of your case, conferring with the appropriate experts, and looking into whether your dentist has faced other accusations of dental negligence in the past. Contact him today so you can feel the relief of having a capable legal advocate in your corner.
Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. serves clients who have suffered periodontal disease as a result of dental malpractice throughout New York.